Hackney is offering free Driver CPC training to HGV drivers operating in the London borough, in an unusual bid to cut traffic accidents.

The seven hour course is accredited as a CPC unit, counting towards drivers’ requirements to undertake 35 hours of training by September 2014.

Its focus is around raising awareness of vulnerable road users, and half of the training day sees 20 drivers divided into two groups of ten alternating between the classroom and riding bicycles out on Hackney’s streets.

“A number of high profile incidents involving collisions between commercial vehicles and cyclists in Hackney has resulted in the negative perception that HGVs are a major cause of fatalities and serious injuries to cyclists on London’s roads,” says Lucy Nandris, cycle training manager at Hackney.

“These incidents not only have a negative impact on vulnerable road users but also on your companies’ reputation, insurance premiums and the wellbeing of members of staff.